Final Rating:
Date of Completion: 01/11/2024
Published by: Tor
ISBN: 9781035050437
‘A Song to Drown Rivers’ had the potential to be a compelling tale, but I was disappointed by the surface-level, angst-filled execution.
Similar read: The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty
Cover:
The elegant female profile and illustrations in the gorgeous blue and gold colour palette beautifully capture the essence of this story. I just wish the book title was a bit more pronounced – but that is just me being picky!
Writing:
The descriptive, lush writing style may not resonate with everyone as it can be over-the-top, but I found it captivating and immersive. My main issue was that key aspects of the story were brushed over with a tendency to tell/summarise rather than show, making the story feel shallow. The world-building also fell flat for me since it lacks a solid fantasy element and has little historical and cultural depth.
Too many have fallen victims to their own irrational desires.
Storyline:
As someone who was unfamiliar with the legend of Xishi before reading this book, I was excited by the promising setup and political intrigue to unfold. Sadly, Xishi’s training and political manoeuvring were underwhelming and overshadowed by a forced romance subplot. What should have been a nuanced storyline exploring themes of power, beauty, and revenge ended up feeling painfully simplistic and predictable. Only the bittersweet ending packed a punch, but I was still unsatisfied with how the story was wrapped up.
Main character(s):
Xishi initially seemed like a fascinating protagonist as she appeared brave and fierce. However, little focus is given to her cleverness and attempts to add depth to her character through struggles with grief, heart pain, and the implications of her actions did not lead anywhere. As a result, her character experienced no growth and came across as one-dimensional.
Secondary characters:
Characters like Fanli, Fuchai, and Zhengdan stood out due to their backstories and roles in the story, but they were ultimately too shallow to connect with. I needed deeper insight into their motives and struggles to fully invest in their characters.
One could live with almost anything, so long as they had something to live for.
Romance:
Xishi’s main connection progressed far too quickly, with little chemistry and development of feelings between the characters. However, it is a big part of the storyline as Xishi spends years pinning for the male lead. To make things worse, another connection is thrown into the mix, creating a melodramatic love triangle that felt naive and unconvincing.
Narration & Audio:
Natalie Naudus’ narration was fitting for this story. Her skilful use of character voices and varied pacing, tone and inflexions enriched the listening experience.
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